The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-26

Rowland said: s'You may state whether or not IL
is fact that nearly every Representative or SEN
ator in the General Assembly, on the Democratic
side. has some one employed at. or employed in
the hospital. whose appointment was owing to
their political influenceg Henry n. Span. who
is representing the trustees in the Investigation,
made vigorous protest against this question,
on the ground that it was Incompetent irrele-
want, not material. superhuous, burden to the
record Quite debate followed upon the
question between Mr.. Span aud Messrs. How
land and Morton, but Chairman French sus-
tanned Mr.. Spans objection. DR.. Fletcher
was then questioned in relation to
the appointment of ex-senator Bells brother;
DR.. Wids, on the recommendation of Green
Smith, Mr.. Lemon and NJ G. Kelly, upon rec
ommendation of Senator Faulkner, Kelly. while
holding position at the hospital, being candl-
date for Representative, and all of them being
discharged for incompetencv or neglect OF duty.
DR.. Fletcher testified that the board had never
ordered any changes in the employees, but nao
often advised changes at different times.
At the evening session Senator Bailey pre-
sided, in the absence Of Senator French, and the
testimony of DR.. Fletcher was resumed. He
testified that positions had been created which
were unnecessary and for the sole purpose OF
employing favortes. Storekeeper Hall was
incompetent to do the work for which he was
paid, so competent assistant was secured MT.
Halls salary increased. though he did not do
the work. Collections for Democratic campaign
purposes had also been made.
Here Mr.. Rowland wished to introduce some
evidence relative to the partisan management,
but Senator Bailey animated that the Civil
| service Association little too enterprsing.
and that he would have to sit down completely
| upon Mr.. Rowland and Mr. Morton He said
the investigation for the sole purpose OF dis
| covering if any cruelty had been practiced. any
| dishonesty in the management, or if incompetent
| persons had been retained in employ for polit-
| cal reasons, and that all this business about
| partisan management had no business IN the
| case, as it was conceded.
DR.. Fletcher's testimony was then resumed,
| and he stated that the board had never harm
pered his'medicai superintendency of the institu
| ton. The witness instanced the case of car
| penter Hoffman, when asked in regard to the
| department, who had resigned because compe
| tent men had been discharged and incompetent
| ones employed. The Doctor was asked by Mr.
| Span if he knew what competent carpenter
| was, and Senator Bailey remarked that ne
guessed the witness could tell; in fact, he coulc
| himself.
ooh, we'll, if you can, of course he cam sale
| Span, sarcastically. There was a laugh a
| Baileys expense.
The Lebanon men, G. w Beard, c. W. Vain
| cote and C. E. Busbee, were then called, ant
| testified as to the moral character truth an{
veracity Of DR. Harrison. Then sDr. Fletcher
| examination was continued, and he testified ii
| regard to the Mel!en discount, his testimony be
| ing exactly the same as previously given befor
| the House committee He also said that bal
! supplies had often been received, and that afte
his rejection, hey had been kept by the store
| keepers, upon orders from DR.. Harrison and Mr.
| Gapen. He saw the maggoty butter, and hat
often rejected butter sent by j. E. Sullivan
Once, after he had rejected some of Sullivan
butter, DR.. Harrison came out to the hospita
very much distressed and said that Sullivan wa
going to prefer charges against Fletcher. and i
| not sustained by the board of trustees Sullivan
| would impeach Harrison before the Governor
| The witness had told Harrison that he did no
| care what Sullivan did what charges he pre-
| ferred, and had heard nothing about the charge
| since. Once he had tried to disinfect some o
! the strong butter by washing it with lime water
| but the effort was unsuccessful He said tina
| the general character of the butter was poor AM
| not up to the contract.
The committee then adjourned to meet at
o'clock this morning The investigation will b
finished TODAY.